Oh, ancient. However, 'stuff like this' does not mean it is irrelevant or indeed dated. Germany and the United States have already realised that polarisation within their respective societies is hugely dangerous and are seeking to remedy it. Germany is intending to enroll young people so that they receive rudimentary 'military training' but then serve for seven months in different areas such as in health/social care and also to help in responding to natural disasters. Similarly, there is a move in the United States to push through the CORPS Act which would see a quarter of a million enrolled to do such work. Even closer, Scotland is seeking to introduce a new voluntary movement that would recruit and train teenagers, recent retirees, and those between jobs so that the country is better prepared.
As I say, these moves partly come from a realisation that Western societies have failed to deal with the effects of the pandemic and natural disasters, and they know there are going to be more of the latter. Yet it partly also comes from the realisation that people actually want to help and that involving them creates social cohesion. It's got nothing to do with turning the clock back to the 1950s, however. Now, talking of which, where's my Ovaltine?...
cmmid.github.io
news.sky.com
www.gov.uk